Daily Republican., 1887-06-15
GRIKfs OF The WEALTHY,

The life of fashion and wealth is
wearisome and dreary enough and
full of discomfort If you will only look
under its glittering surface. remarks
the Philadelphia correspondent OF the
Chicago Tribune.
Did you ever think how pathetic are
the sorrows of the rich7
1t seems natural that the poor should
suffer, but when you think how much
mankind stands ready to pay for
wealth. there is something pitiable in
the realization that, after all, riches do
not always make happiness. l real
lied the truth OF this bit of philosophy
very keenly the other day as I CON
templated the every day existence of
the two wealthiest women in the
United States. One was Mrs. John
Jacob Astor of New York, the other
was Mrs. Gammell of Providence, r.
II Perhaps you have seen Mrs. Astor.
She is a handsome woman rather,
with great sweetness and charm of
manner. She was Miss Gibbs of
North Carolina, and has just q shade
of southern accent, with all the grace
fitness of style which is characteristic
OF the beautiful women of the South.
Both she and Mrs. Gammell were
staying at hotel at Atlantic City, on
the seashOre, about an hour and a half
out of town, where almost all fashion
has gone this spring. to build up. after
the diversions and dissipations Of the
winter Her gowns were extremely
simple. and she wore no jewelry at all.
Her husband, as you know, is worth a
hundred and fifty millions of dollars.
and OF course is the richest individual
in the country He is q stocky little
mar, stout, selt-willed, brusquc and
walks frequently with limp, the con-
sequence Of govt. He is rather taci-
turn with strangers, and has a mortal
fer that because he is rich somebody
will succeed in getting possession OF
his photograph and put 1t on sale like
AZ actors. He was soldier and has
a right to be called Colonel, having
served ON NeClellan's staff. and per.
haps much of his "ofllshness" is the
result of military discipline. Withal
he is very kindly in his own circle, is
a supporter and genuine lover OF art
and music, and has his box in the
metropolitan Opera House. He was
not at the seaside with bis wife, come
business engs gements having kept him
lat home.
Mrs. Astor, of course, was the
Icynosure of all observers She had
many friends among the Philadel
phians at the house. to who, indeed,
she was like their own townswoman,
30 her son is married to Miss May
Paul, of this city, who the Queen o.
Italy once said. was the handsomesl
IAmerican her Majesty had ever seen
fShe was not much in evidence, how
lever, and remained in her room mostly
[all the day. Her mother in New Yorl
was.eztremely ill,and the fear of dealt
was always before her eyes. At las
the blow came. She was at dinner Ii
the public dining groom, when ser
want handed her dispatch announc
ing her mothers death. What he
tgrief was need not be said. She con-
troiled it nobly in the presence 0
Others. She desired now only ont
!; thing-to reach her people in New
Aoih. ouc scul Out ucFbcA FhHt W I'll
rage a special train tor her. The mar
came back and told her he had no
succeeded. She sent out another ant
lenlisted the clerks of the hotel in hcl
behalf. Money was OF NO moment
ISbe would pay any price out of hel
millions for the boon. But there was
failure all around. The officials of tn,
road could not arrange the matter, and
80 this poor woman with her useies:
wealth had to wait hours in her sor.
row tor the regular train through tC
New York.
! Her companion in millions, Mrs
EGammell, was also her comrade in
|sorrow. One scarcely ever caught u
Iglimpse of her face. all lined and
iseamel by suffering. She had just los,
Iher tavorite son, a bright boy of IS OF
Il9, and had come to the seaside direct
lily from his grave. Occasionally one
Knight see her black -robed figure, with
LIS sad white f,ee, fitting along COR
lridor, but it was seldom she left her
room. Only sal with her griet in lite
Isilence:
, Sermons?